Fantasy Football: Sleepers at WR 2014

This is a passing league and everyone knows it. The position of WR is actually the most consistent of all the positions. Top pass catchers are typically top pass catcher, because systems are made around their skill set. Even when WRs lose a step they still can contribute to a fantasy team roster, especially in PPR formats. So with this one I rarely saw a guy according to ESPN Rankings that I think would fall out of the top 20. So for this article or list I’m going to give:

A. Players that you can probably get in the later rounds that will contribute to your team

B. A WR you can stash and be patient with that will contribute later in the season (ala Keenan Allen last year, and yes I drafted Alshon Jeffery and dropped him after 2 weeks, I also drafted Josh Gordon a year to early)

1. Justin “Man” Hunter: I know Jake Locker sucks, but I will say that when Locker plays he throws a lot of 50/50 balls for his WRs and Hunter is just the guy to get those. With Ken Whistenhunt taking over in Titan land, they will need a good number one guy, or at least a guy to take the top off the defense. Hunter is your guy. He is going in 13th- wavier wire.

2. DeAndre “Not Benard” Hopkins: Now I don’t think he will surpass Andre “I need a QB” Johnson, but I think with certain match ups (Jags, Chargers) he can be effective. Hopkins only had 4 less deep targets then Johnson last year. That means they want to get this man the ball down field especially. With Bill O’Brien heavy use of Deep crossing routes to help WRs clear, we might see big play potential out of him. Hopkins is going in the 11th rd or Wavier.

3. Markus “With a K not a C” Wheaton: Plan and simple, the Steelers are not 3 yards and a cloud of dust anymore. They throw the dang ball and throw it a lot. So with no Sanders and Crotchery, who is left to catch the ball? I doubt Lance Moore or Darius Hey Bey Bey, will be the target to often. Also Wheaton is a 5’11 speedster which means when Big Ben scrambles and throws Defensive Linemen off of him, Ben will be tossing some bombs to Wheaton getting behind the Defense. Wheaton has been going undrafted in a lot of leagues.

Now a list of guys to stash and maybe about week 8 or 9 unleash, them on the fantasy world.

1. Kelvin “All About the” Benjamin: Somebody in Caroline has to catch those lasers that SuperMan will be throwing. Now I don’t trust rookie WRs but a half of season of work will get this kid understanding what the NFL game is all about. He is a 6’5 WR with terrible route running skills but can go get the ball, just ask Auburn. He is going 13th rd or Wavier wire.

2. Doug “Not Hollywood” Baldwin: While Golden Tate last year was making fun of opponents, Baldwin quietly had a decent season. Now with no Tate, Baldwin is the number 2 WR. Seattle doesn’t pass a lot but they use a lot of play action and with Harvin being the deep threat Baldwin could see a lot of catches underneath. Another guy going 13th or undrafted.

3. Ruben “Hard to” Randle: I mentioned in my QB sleeper about Eli, but Eli just can’t throw it to Cruz all day, and I don’t trust Rookie WR (Sorry Beckham), this new West Coast Offense fits Randle size, speed, and style. I can see a big year for Randle and hopefully he can hit pay dirt more than Sorry ASS HAKEEM NICKS last year (Nicks scored 0 tds last year for my fantasy team)! Another possible wavier wire guy.

4. Aaron “Please stop yelling Tom” Dobson: Now this is pending his foot can heal properly, but that is why you don’t want to use him early on. With Gronk back sucking up all the defensive attention, and Amendola being an injury waiting to happen, Dobson has a real opportunity to be the deep threat that Brady hasn’t had since… Randy Moss! Now I’m not saying Moss like numbers (25tds) but he could be a double digit td machine in that offense. Another 13th-wavier wire.

5. Brandin “I like to” Cooks/ Kenny “Keep” Stills: As much as I like to believe that Jimmy Graham will just catch all the passes from Drew BreeZY, the fact is Sproles is gone and Lance “the Dance” Moore is gone too. So one of these guys are going to get those passes and catches. Now you just have to choose wisely. If one of them gets the production of Sproles in this system they will be a real steal. going 13th-wavier wire.

What do you think? Anybody I missed? If so tell me by leaving a comment or hitting me up @UnsportsmenBigJ